The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 261

The courtroom emptied slowly.

People didn’t rush out the way they usually did after a hearing.

Everyone had something to say. Hart Sullivan’s name had changed the atmosphere completely.

I remained seated at the counsel table, staring at the notes in front of me.

I had pages of testimony, financial records, exhibits, and questions I still needed to prepare.

But I couldn’t concentrate on any of them.

All I could see were two words I’d written at the bottom of my page.

Hart Sullivan.

I stared at them until the ink seemed to blur.

“Claire?”

I looked up.

Daniel was standing beside me. “You okay?”

“Yes.” I realized too late that I had answered quicker than normal.

He raised an eyebrow.

I sighed. “No.”

“Thought so.”

I closed my file. “Where’s Margot?”

“She’s speaking with Jonathan and the others.”

I glanced toward the front of the courtroom.

Margot was near the judge’s bench, speaking quietly a few attorneys from Sinclair&co. Her wheelchair was positioned beside the counsel table, and even from a distance I could see the concentration on her face.

I waited until she finished before approaching her.

“Margot.”

She looked up. “Claire.”

I crouched slightly so we were at eye level. “We need to talk.”

Her expression changed immediately. “About Hart.”

It was a statement, not a question.

I nodded. “You already know.”

“I saw your face when the defense announced him.”

I glanced toward the courtroom doors before speaking. “I think he’s going to testify for Eva.”

Margot didn’t respond immediately.

That worried me more than if she’d disagreed.

“I gave him my card,” I continued. “The last time I visited him. I told him to contact me if he changed his mind and wanted to testify against Eva.”

“And?”

“Nothing.”

“Not a call?”

“Not even a message.”

Margot’s lips pressed together. “And now he’s appearing as the defense’s witness.”

“Exactly.”

I folded my arms. “I don’t know what he’s going to say.”

Margot studied me. “What do you think he’ll say?”

“That Eva wasn’t responsible— obviously.” I swallowed. “Or that she didn’t know what he was doing. Or that he acted alone. He could say anything; he’s worships her!”

“Could he?”

I frowned. “What?”

“Could Hart convincingly make Eva innocent?”

I thought about it.

Hart had been involved in too much.

He’d attacked Nathaniel, he’d attacked Lucian, he’d almost killed Margot too.

He’d also been involved in the structure collapse.

For years— even before all of this— he had carried out Eva’s instructions.

Hart Sullivan was a dangerous man. And dangerous people didn’t always behave predictably.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

Margot nodded slowly. “Neither do I.”

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

I looked at her. “Well, that’s why I’m worried.”

Margot reached for my hand. “Then stop worrying.”

I blinked.

She gave me a small smile. “Leave Hart to me.”

“Margot—”

“I’ll see him.”

My eyes widened. “Tonight?”

“If necessary.”

“You’re still recovering.”

She gave me a pointed look. “I’m Margot Sinclair.”

I almost smiled. Almost.

“I don’t want you putting yourself in danger.”

“I won’t.”

“You can’t know that.”

“I can know that I’ll be careful.” She paused. And I’ve dealt with at least a dozen Hart Sullivan’s in my lifetime. I understand how this works.”

There was something in her voice that made me stop arguing.

She had been the one to confront Ramon.

The one who had uncovered the truth. The one who had nearly died because of Eva.

And somehow, even after everything, Margot still carried herself with the same quiet authority she’d always had.

“I’ll go see him,” she repeated. “You go home.”

I shook my head. “I should stay in Sinclair&co and prepare.”

“You’ve been preparing for months.”

“I have to be ready.”

“You are.” Her voice softened. “Claire, don’t you see it? You’re exhausted.”

I looked away.

She was right. I hated that she was right.

“Go home,” she said. “Eat something. Take a bath. Sleep.”

“I probably won’t sleep.”

“Then lie down.”

I laughed softly. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m your boss. It’s part of the job.”

That made me smile.

For a few seconds, the weight in my chest lifted.

Then Margot’s expression became serious again.

“Whatever Hart says tomorrow, don’t walk into that courtroom afraid of him.”

I looked at her. “I’m not afraid of him.”

“I hope so.” She squeezed my hand. “That’s why I want you to remember it.”

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